All groups, large or small, are welcome to Southwark Cathedral.
A charge is placed on groups of 10 or more people. We would be grateful if you can pre-book your visit so we can make sure that you are able to access the building. due to how busy we are holding services and other events. To improve your experience, we can arrange for one of our Cathedral Guides to take your group on a tour of the building.
Southwark Cathedral Group Tours
We offer a Cathedral history tour which takes up to 90 minutes long.
From Priory to Church to Cathedral: A History Tour of Southwark Cathedral
Explore the Cathedral uncovering its long and varied history. Discover connections with London’s hospitals, the theatre land of Shakespeare’s day and the Bishops who held power over the area.
We also run tours which focus on different aspects of the building. These are 60 mins long.
Light and Colour: Stained Glass at the Southwark Cathedral
Join us to examine some of London's best examples of 19th and 20th century stained glass. This tour includes the works of artists such as Lawrence Lee, Ninian Comper, John La Farge, Leifur Breidfjord, Alan Younger and Christopher Webb.
Bards, Poets and Playwrights: A Literary Tour of Southwark Cathedral
Discover the many literary figures who are associated with the Southwark Cathedral. Uncover the life of John Gower, an important English court poet and friend of Chaucer. Explore the world of the 17th century theatre from Shakespeare to Massinger. Learn about Dickens' visit here.
Shakespeare and his Theatrical Contemporaries at St Saviours Church
At the heart of William Shakespeare’s theatrical world was the church of St Saviours, now known as Southwark Cathedral. This was the scene of baptisms, burials and marriages for the actors and playwrights who graced the stage of Elizabethan and Stuart theatre. Discover the links between our church and the theatre.
Women of Southwark –the Untold Story
Explore the lives of the women connected to the cathedral from the Victorian pioneers such as Octavia Hill and Isabella Gilmore to the benefactors such as Dorothy Appleby and Elizabeth Newcomen who provided funds for poor people in south London. Uncover the impact of Queen Mary I on the life of the cathedral.
Price per Person*
Cathedral Group Tour (90 minutes) with a Cathedral Guide £8.00
Cathedral Group Tour (60 minutes) with a Cathedral Guide £7.00
Cathedral Group Tour with an external guide £5.50
*To qualify for these rates, the minimum number of people per group is 10. The maximum number per group is 45 people.
Unbooked Groups
Whilst we make every effort to welcome everyone to Southwark Cathedral, we cannot always accommodate unbooked groups of 10+ people and may have to turn them away or restrict access if they are likely to be disruptive to other events taking place in the Cathedral.
Unbooked groups will be expected to make a financial contribution of a minimum of £2.00 per person in the group.
Group leaders must stay with their groups at all times in case there is an evacuation or other emergency.
School Visits
School groups can visit the Cathedral by booking with the Education Centre. For more information, visit here.
Hourly Prayers
The Cathedral has established the practice of having hourly prayers throughout the day from 10.30am to 4.30pm. These are led by our Day Chaplains and last approximately two minutes. During the prayers, all visitors are requested to remain still and are invited to join in saying The Lord's Prayer, in their native language.
The Harvard Chapel
The Harvard Chapel is reserved for private prayer. Groups may enter this chapel but Group Leaders are not permitted to speak to their members whilst in the chapel or take photographs.
Photography Permit
A photography permit is required for any individuals in your group who wish to take photographs. This is available for £1.00 which is half the normal price and can be pre-booked when booking your tour.
Group Catering
Our Refectory Cafe is an ideal venue for morning coffee, lunches and afternoon teas before or after your Cathedral tour. If you wish to pre book any catering requirements please contact our Catering partner Elior directly by email or telephone on 020 7367 6728.
Any payment for catering is to be made separately from your tour payment and must be made direct to Elior.
Booking and further Information
For more information, to request a group brochure or make a booking, please email our Visits & Tours Officer or telephone on 020 7367 6734.
Alternatively, please download our booking form here and send it as an email attachment.
All profits generated by Group Visits are used to help maintain the ministry and fabric of Southwark Cathedral.